Help!! I need encouragement and answers!!

[Anne]

Hi everyone!! I need some help!! I have been raw for 13 days now and have not expercienced the results like I have read about. :mad: I lost only 4 pounds so far and really expected much more. I started at 174.5 and am now 170.5. I feel tired most of the time and am sure I am detoxing!!. I eat raw and well and exercise 30 mins a day (treadmill). My diet is clean and I have not cheated!! My goal weight is 135. Are my expectations too high or am I on the right path and should just keep it up :confused: ?? All suggestions are welcome. My main reason for going raw was/is health and weight loss. Right now I am shooting for 30 days raw and will go from there.
Thanks so much!!
Blessings!!
Anne

[Rawkinlocs]

Hey Anne,

Honey, it sounds like you're doing GREAT!!

Yeah, 13 days of all raw is WONDERFUL...but not nearly enough time (in all fairness to your body) to put too many high demands and expectations on it. Try and keep in mind that we're all different and some lose weight and/or experience that "burst of energy" at different rates than others.

I was tired for the first few weeks of raw too...but eventually it will change. I mean, I'm not zipping and buzzing around or anything, but I'm not dragging along and feeling like I need a nap either; which is exactly how it was for me before going raw and the first few weeks or so of being raw. Now, I just feel balanced. I can get done what I need to get done during the day and evening and at the end of the day, I'm ready for bed.

Hang in there, keep it up and one thing you can do is to write down EVERYTHING you can think of that you may have suffered from or be suffering from now that you want to see improved (digestion, energy, menstrual cycle, PMS symptoms, etc.) and as you begin to notice these things changing and getting better, put a little gold star or something significant by each thing to let you know how far you've come.

Sometimes we go through the journey of eating raw and we forget what things we used to suffer from that we no longer suffer from. All of those little milestones let you know you're on the right path. Just think about how much more healthy you are and are going to be! Weight is important to you, and it will come off, but try and not make it TOO much of a main focus and just enjoy the ride and one day you'll look up and be 135!

Remember what they say about a watched pot never boils? Get rid of the scale and try not to "watch" your weight!

[shakti17]

Definately stay with it! I had 13 days a while back (in january) and since i slipped have not been able to get it back.

Those 13 days are awesome! be proud! it may not be easy to get that back again (in my experience)

i would put away the scale until day 30.

[Anne]

Thank you both so much!! You are right, I need to focus on straight ahead.. not on the floor (where the scale is :o ). I have no plans of quitting, am just discouraged!!
Thanks again!!
Blessings!, Anne

[pinenut]

I know you said your energy level was low, but if I could suggest working out more and with some more intensity. Raw will help you loose weight, but intense exersize will take you much further, much faster with your weight loss goals.

I'm on day 2 of being all raw and I bike 16mi. a day back and forth to work and lift weights for an hour 4 days a week. Right now I'm 177lbs. and am trying to get back down to 135lbs. If you want keep an eye on my (newly started) journal to see how I'm doing and to maybe give you some workout ideas. I can't guarentee I won't fall of the proverbial wagon, but I have a huge motivation that's going to keep me really focused on getting to my goal weight. I'll be flying out to see my fience for the first time in over 6 months and I want to surprise him with my "new" body.

[Indi]

Stick with it!
I stopped after a few weeks last year, it took me a year to struggle back!

Exercise helps me, trampoline, few yoga stretches or just a simple stroll.
I also drink lots of water.

Im not that much further along the path than you are.
I just go with the flow, take every day as it comes and trust that my body knows what to do.

I dont weigh myself, I just go with how i feel.
If im tired i rest, if im hungry i eat etc!
I suggest you PUT THOSE SCALES AWAY! you dont need a stick to beat yourself with!
Anyway, thats what ive been doing, you will find your own way!

Yes it would be great to correct all problems overnight.
Realistically thats probably not going to happen.
Focus on the good stuff, sounds like you are doing just fine!
Keep going
It gets better! :) :)

[Anne]

Thanks, Indi, and Pinenut,

I will do my best not to use the scale. Some habits die harder than others.
You are right that I should take it one day at a time, and let my body do what it knows best to do.
Pinenut, I will check out your journal.
Thanks for the encouragement!!
Blessings, Anne :)

[Boysenberry]

Hi, I loved what Rawkinlocks had to say, especially the part about writing down what you would like to see healed. She is right on about that. I have to remind myself of those things too, my weight was coming off slow as well, (now I am pregnant, and am not losing weight) but I dont want the pains to come back, or the mood swings and I would really like an easier delivery and recovery.

Absolutely, stick with it. I found the first 30 days to be the hardest, but after that it continued to get easier.

[theresaann]

hang in there! Our bodies detox the most important stuff first. If we are really toxic, it might take awhile until it's ready to metabolize stored fat. I know this myself. I'm not seeing the results I wish I could, but I ALSO know that my amazing body is getting rid the the most dangerous toxins first, and I"m glad about that. If I stay with it, I WILL reach my goal!!

WHat helps for me is to remember that I am doing SUCH a great thing for myself, for my body, and my health. I'm giving myself a lot of LOVE with raw food, and when it's ready, it will release the weight-I know it. So I'm being patient. What's the alternative anyway? I'm not gonna lose it if I go back to cooked, but if I do that I WILL lose my precious health. So There IS no other option for me...

It'll come off, you'll see. Look at the many testamonials of even very obese folks-how eventually they ALL lose lots of weight....

[ljannise]

Hi Anne! I've been raw for a year & I've lost 130 pounds.

I'm concerned that because you arent seeing weightloss as soon as you would like, that this will cause you to not eat what your body is telling you it wants??

In the beginning, ppl crave enormous amounts of things & we find that it's nutrients our bodies have been starving for all along.

Please use this time to relax & let your body have fun with this.

Also, please keep in mind that a lot of rewards we reap from this lifestyle isnt always seen with our eye. We heal on the inside just as much. It may seem like all is quiet on the homefront for a good while, but your body will amaze you with what is REALLY happening behind the scenes, so to speak.

[PhoeniX]

One thing that I have found useful to remember is that eating raw free's up alot of energy for your body to heal itself, but your body gets to decide where to use that extra energy. It is nice to lose weight, but there is nothing wrong with it taking that energy and healing your lungs or liver or killing off more cancerous cells. It will get around to it in time.

[Anne]

You know, I guess I never thought about the energy needed to do the healing inside.
My eyes are open a bit wider now. But I do have to say that today I woke up with water retention-pre-menstrul yuck stuff. My insides must be having a "field day".
Thanks for the healing words!!
Blessings!
Anne

[Anne]

[QUOTE=ljannise]Hi Anne! I've been raw for a year & I've lost 130 pounds.

I'm concerned that because you arent seeing weightloss as soon as you would like, that this will cause you to not eat what your body is telling you it wants??

Wow ljannise!! that is alot of weight!! What a great job!! I am doing my best to listen to what my body wants..but I believe it takes a bit of practice after eating the SAD way!!

I will pay more attention to what my body is trying to tell me!!
Thanks, and Blessings
Anne